The entertainer, who is a household name in his 70s, will be held in the next few days

The comedian, who is a household name in his 70s, will be held in the next few days over allegations of sexual abuse.

In a separate development, a second entertainer who was quizzed under caution in November on similar allegations, is also set to be formally arrested.

The man, in his 80s, is believed to have written to one of his alleged ­victims to express regret.

A source close to Scotland Yard’s Operation Yewtree inquiry said: “The latest big name to be ­arrested will be a real shocker to a lot of people. He’s not somebody you would have associated with this sort of thing. The other celebrity will be even more of a surprise.”

His youngest victim was a boy aged eight. Police say the former Top of the Pops host was one of the most prolific sex offenders Britain has ever seen.

He targeted children on BBC premises, in schools and hospitals and even abused an 11-year-old child who lay dying.

The report said police and prosecutors had missed seven ­chances to bring him to justice.

Savile died aged 84 in October 2011, a year before the ­allegations were broadcast in an ITV ­documentary.

- Jimmy Savile has been blamed for a council tax hike in Norfolk. New police commissioner Stephen Bett claims revelations about the late star have led to a rise in the number of sex abuse claims to be investigated, causing a police budget increase to be added to local council tax bills.